On the baseball field, River Stevens principally plays shortstop for Mission Hills High. Off the field, he plays drums, guitar and piano for his own pleasure.

There are times when the Grizzlies senior steps on the diamond with a melody in his head, and, after the game, he’ll perform the same song in his music room at home.

It’s an approach that has kept Stevens in tune during his three-year varsity career. He’s on target to finish a trifecta of seasons batting well over .300, while also setting the tone for Mission Hills.

“River loves to be here, and he motivates everyone as far as they can go,” said fellow senior Robbie Rocamora, who has known Stevens since T-ball days. “He’s a great player and a good teammate.”

Besides the crack of the bat, Stevens likes the sounds of classic rock from Led Zeppelin to today’s R & B and rap. He believes music is most fully expressed on the piano.

“I feel I have an ear for music,” Stevens said. “I can listen to something and play it. I just like the sound when you play a nice song.”

Stevens taught himself to play all three instruments, jamming with friends but not enrolling in the school music program. As for baseball, he’s received assistance from his father and former teammate Steven Packard, now having a strong freshman season at the University of Oregon.

When Stevens first picked up a bat at age 2, he adopted a left-handed stance even though he was otherwise right-handed. His father, Craig, subsequently helped him with his hitting.

When his dad later coached travel teams just above River’s age, the younger Stevens would move up to the older level as well. So it went for six years leading into high school.

“I was the younger guy playing with older guys, and I liked it,” Stevens said. “It was a little more competition, and it was quite natural for me.”

Craig Stevens has been battling cancer in the form of multiple melanoma and is doing as well as possible, said his son, who expressed appreciation for the support received from the families of teammates and coaches.

The kinship with Packard developed through travel ball and two seasons together on the varsity. Over the past year, Stevens has remained in touch with Packard through occasional phone calls.

“I’ve admired how Steven handled himself on the field,” Stevens said, “how he hustled and how he bounced back if he messed up.”

The 6-foot, 150-pound Stevens has remained slim despite a weight-training program and occasional double cheeseburger binges.

“River has great speed, and for a kid his size, he has excellent pop in the bat,” Mission Hills coach Ken Putnam said.

Stevens has been used from first to fourth in the batting order for the Grizzlies, who began last week 10-12. He enjoyed an early-season highlight by going 5-for-5 with two home runs and six RBI in a game against Westview.

“I try not to focus on batting average because that’s such a stressful topic,” Stevens said. “I try to drive the ball, and if I do, it will fall in.”